PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alex Viliam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valdimir Sokolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Viliam
vs
Sokolov

190 cm
25
243 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

220 cm
26
265 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Viliam!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valdimir Sokolov!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sokolov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Viliam with a nice cross.

It looks like Valdimir Sokolov has been cut.

Viliam gets a clinch.
Viliam lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sokolov wants a takedown but no success here.
Viliam is trying to break the clinch but Sokolov has him pressed against the cage.
Sokolov looking for a takedown.
Alex Viliam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valdimir Sokolov.
Still in the clinch, Viliam scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sokolov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Viliam pulls his leg out and moves away.
Viliam cracks Sokolov with a right hand to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Viliam gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sokolov is trying to drag Viliam to the mat but Viliam just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Viliam lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viliam lands a hook to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Viliam scores with a nice short uppercut.
Viliam prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sokolov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sokolov is looking for a takedown.
Sokolov is looking for a takedown.
Sokolov looks winded!
Viliam scores with a shot to the side of Sokolov's head.
A short body shot lands from Viliam as the two fighters clinch.
Viliam's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sokolov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Viliam avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Viliam gets underhooks to prevent Sokolov's takedown attempt.
A bit of stalling here from Viliam.

Viliam breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Viliam lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right-left combo lands from Viliam.

That has opened up Valdimir Sokolov's cut even more.

Viliam shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Viliam connects with a nice short shot to Sokolov's temple.
Viliam wants to get back to his feet.
Sokolov taking some punishment here, with Viliam in his half guard.
Viliam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Viliam lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Viliam missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viliam looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sokolov is not content to let Viliam control the position.
Nice strikes from Viliam there.
Viliam has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sokolov is trying to get back to full guard.
Viliam thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sokolov is looking to control Viliam's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sokolov avoid being mounted?
Viliam content to control rather than advance.
Sokolov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viliam throwing shots but Sokolov is blocking nicely.
Sokolov is looking for a sweep. Viliam is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sokolov taking some punishment here, with Viliam in his half guard.
Sokolov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Viliam is trying to control the action in half guard but Sokolov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Viliam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sokolov wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Viliam trying to control the action but Sokolov is working from the bottom.
Viliam misses with a head shot. Sokolov uses the momentum to regain guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Viliam wants to control from the top but Sokolov keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Viliam dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Valdimir Sokolov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Viliam has closed the distance and engaged Sokolov in a clinch.
Viliam has Sokolov pressed against the cage.
Sokolov is looking for a takedown.
Viliam lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sokolov wants a takedown but no success here.
Viliam lands an uppercut.
A short right from Viliam on the inside.
Sokolov can't get the takedown.
Alex Viliam has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valdimir Sokolov.
Sokolov is trying to drag Viliam to the mat but Viliam just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sokolov wants a takedown but no success here.
Viliam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sokolov.
Viliam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sokolov.
Sokolov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A short right from Viliam.
Viliam stops a takedown attempt from Sokolov.
Sokolov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Viliam working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Viliam lands a right hand.

The cut above Valdimir Sokolov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Nice body punch from Viliam - that landed with a thud.
Viliam lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Viliam lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Viliam on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Viliam.
Viliam lands with a short shot to the head.
Viliam lands a hook to the side of the head.
Viliam taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Viliam.
Viliam trying to stall but Sokolov improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Viliam content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Viliam lands an uppercut.
Sokolov is looking for a takedown.
Viliam taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Viliam is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Viliam is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short left from Viliam.
Viliam stalls.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Alex Viliam.
Viliam connects with a jab.

Valdimir Sokolov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

Viliam has Sokolov up against the cage in a clinch.
Sokolov goes for a takedown attempt but Viliam pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viliam misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Viliam fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sokolov, pushing him back against the cage.
Viliam scores with a shoulder strike.
Viliam is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sokolov can do to turn this around?

Sokolov has hold of one of Viliam's legs. Viliam is fighting the takedown attempt but Sokolov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sokolov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sokolov preventing the sweep.

Viliam kicks Sokolov off and gets to his feet.

Viliam fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sokolov, pushing him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Viliam.
Sokolov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Viliam gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Viliam pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alex Viliam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Viliam throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sokolov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov walks into a straight right hand from Viliam.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Viliam has closed the distance and engaged Sokolov in a clinch.
Viliam scores with a shoulder strike.
Alex Viliam has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Viliam gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sokolov.
Sokolov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Viliam prevents it.

Viliam breaks from the clinch.
Sokolov drops his hands momentarily and Viliam takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Viliam falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sokolov counters with a shoot takedown. Viliam fights it but they end up in guard.
Viliam trying to keep a closed guard but Sokolov is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Viliam dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Valdimir Sokolov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Viliam looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Viliam thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sokolov is trying to control but can't.
Viliam wants to take a breather but Sokolov is having none of it.
Sokolov taking some punishment here, with Viliam in his half guard.
Viliam not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Viliam working Sokolov over with strikes.
Viliam lands with a punch from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sokolov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Viliam sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sokolov defending well though.
Sokolov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Viliam is keen to just control but Sokolov is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Viliam lands a nice short elbow.
Viliam is keen to just control but Sokolov is a slippery customer.
Sokolov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Viliam. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Viliam content to control rather than advance.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Viliam trying to control from Sokolov's half guard. Sokolov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Sokolov keeping moving, preventing Viliam from controlling successfully.
Viliam throws a big elbow that misses.
Sokolov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Viliam gets back to full guard.
Sokolov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sokolov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Viliam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Viliam is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sokolov is controlling him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Viliam has control of Sokolov's left arm, preventing Sokolov from doing any damage.
Alex Viliam overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sokolov looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sokolov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Viliam wants to stand and escape but Sokolov is having none of it.
Sokolov takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Sokolov stopping the sweep attempt from Viliam.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sokolov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viliam preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Viliam looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sokolov is one step ahead there.
Viliam keeping moving, preventing Sokolov from controlling successfully.
Viliam lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sokolov!
Sokolov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Alex Viliam is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Viliam controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Viliam showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Viliam has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Viliam!
As Alex Viliam got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: I want to thank my manager, Death Squad MMA, my oppponent and guys from Blacksmith Gym for preparing me for this fight.'.